Hermes Family
LVMH Takeover
Business Strategy & Operations
Corporate Governance & Control
Key Figures & Leadership
100

The generation of the Hermes family was in control during the LVMH takeover attempt.

What is the sixth generation?

100

The man who led the acquisition of Hermes shares through equity swaps. 

Who is Bernard Arnault?

100

This iconic Hermes product is known for having a long waitlist due to limited handcrafted production.

What is the Birkin bag?

100

The year Hermes originally went public.

What is 1993?

100

The non-family CEO of Hermes during the LVMH takeover attempt. 

Who is Patrick Thomas?

200

The family member held a 6% stake and initially resisted joining the new holding company.

Who is Nicolas Puech?

200

The percentage of Hermes LVMH announced it controlled when the news became public.

What is 17.1% ?

200

This key business principal Hermes refused to compromise even while under global expansion pressure. 

What is traditional craftmanship or handmade production?

200

The rough portion of Hermes shares that were owned by non-Hermes family members. 

What is 10%?

200

This family member was being groomed to eventually lead the company. 

Who is Axel Dumas?

300

Approximately this many Hermès family shareholders were believed to exist at the time of the LVMH battle.

What is around 200 family shareholders?

300

This type of financial instrument LVMH used to secretly accumulate Hermes shares. 

What are cash settled equity swaps?

300

The number of artisans used to make a leather product. 

What is 1?

300

The name of the new family holding company created to protect Hermes from takeovers. 

What is H51?

300

This Dumas family member is credited with transforming Hermes in the late 20th century through disciplined craftmanship-based strategy. 

Who is Jean-Louis Dumas?

400

The primary family-business challenge identified in the case that made Hermes vulnerable to a takeover.

What is a growing number of heirs?

400

This legal authority investigated whether LVMH violated disclosure rules.

What is Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF)?

400

The length of time it could take to receive a handbag made from crocodile leather. 

What is 10 years?

400

The length of time in which the shares are locked inside the H51 holding company. 

What is 20 years?

400

This Hermes leader was known for mixing creativity with rigorous discipline. 

Who is Jean-Louis Demas?

500

The reason some family members originally want Hermes to go public in 1993.

What is to give liquidity to uninterested family members?

500

The motive Patrick Thomas accused LVMH of having regarding its unsolicited stake.  

What is a hostile takeover?

500

This pricing strategy allowed Hermes to maintain high margins despite competition. 

What is scarcity-based pricing?

500

The governance change Hermes made to reconcile internal family factions during the crisis. 

What is adding Nicolas Puech to the supervisory board?

500

This symbolic gesture Hermes leadership used to demonstrate unity during the crisis. 

What is presenting a united front?